380 July walks from Tittesworth (Leek)

Our next walks venue will be

Tittesworth Reservoir

and the Roaches

a beautiful setting with The Roaches as its breath-taking backdrop

on 

Saturday 8th July 2017

0800hrs prompt from the Short Stay Car Park

Tittesworth Water visitor centre

Tittesworth Water is one of Staffordshire’s most stunning tourist attractions. Within the visitor centre The Room With A View Restaurant offers a fantastic menu and from every table, the fantastic views and atmosphere can be taken in. Now boasting our fantastic new shop, and so much more for the family to do, Tittesworth Water is a day out not to be missed !

Severn Trent Water built the visitor centre in 1998 although the reservoir was first constructed as early as 1858. It is now used to store the water supplying homes and businesses in parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Leek.
There are over 100 hectares of rich wildlife habitat, linking the agricultural landscape of North Staffordshire with the wild moorlands of the Peak District. Tittesworth has a wide variety of habitats, from conifer plantation and semi ancient woods to wildflower meadows and marshland. This variety of habitat enables us to provide food, shelter and water for a wide variety of wildlife species.

What wildlife can I see there?

Lapwing, snipe and curlew are regular visitors to the fields around Tittesworth and when water levels fall in the Summer the exposed mud attracts birds such as oystercatchers, plovers and herons. The meadows are rich in wild flowers such as purple spotted orchid, ox-eye daisy and birds foot trefoil. These plants also provide food for butterflies such as the meadow brown.

The Roaches where Buzzards fly and Wallabies may still roam. The Roaches (or Roches) is a wind-carved outcrop of gritstone rocks straddling the parishes of Leekfrith and Heathylee. The Roaches area includes Hen Cloud, so named perhaps because with a little imagination it looks like a roosting hen. The name could also have been derived from the Anglo -Saxon 'Henge Clud' meaning steep cliff. Also Ramshaw Rocks which includes the weird rock formation called the Winking Man.


There will be Three Walk Groups as normal;

• A Group: led by Brian Thorne
• B Group: led by Beverley Kelly
• C Group: Led by Terry Simmons 
  
  
  With the warmer weather it is important for you to bring enough water to drink (recommended 2ltrs). Dehydration creeps up on you and can make you ill and a risk to the rest of the group

A Walk from Tittesworth 2017

Walk Leader: Brian Thorne
Total Distance: 10 miles app
Total Ascent: 1824 ft

'A' Route anti clockwise

The Roaches

Leaving the Visitor Centre, we head for the gap between Hen Cloud and the Roaches ridge, climbing to our high point of the day above the magnificent gritstone cliffs. Dropping down into the woods above Black Brook, we pass through the Chasm of Lud’s Church before contouring round to the Hanging Stone.

Hanging Stone

Contouring round the cross above Swythamley Hall, we join the minor road for one mile before climbing a little more steeply to the summit of “Gun.” A fine prospect of the Roaches lies across the valley as we descend towards Meerbrook and refreshment at “The Lazy Trout” before the 600yd stroll back to the coach

B Walk from Tittesworth 2017

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly
Total Distance: 7.5 Miles app
Total Ascent/Descent: 1400ft

'B' Route clockwise

 No unpleasant surprises here, with a fairly gentle walk to the peak and then a gentle climb down back to the visitor centre.
We will start off with a walk across country heading for the middle point of the Roaches at Bearstone Rock. As we get closer we start climbing with the final bit being on a minor road. Do take in the magnificant views.

Our next ascent is towards the summit at 1600ft, passing some great rock formations on the way. We continue the interesting pathways with great views and interesting formations, passing Doxey Pool just before the old quarries. 
We descend to the lower level through pine woods and where there will probably be rock climbers practising their breat taking climbs. 

Rock Climbers testing their skills

Now it is across country towards the visitor centre or pub for refreshments.
Click below for pictures. 

The Roaches 2010 personal walk

C Walk from Tittesworth 2017

Walk Leader: Terry Simmons
Total Distance: 5.5 miles app
Total Ascent/Descent: 600ft app

C Walk in a clockwise direction

  

We arrive at the Roaches tea rooms having passed through the small village of Meerbrook where The village Pub is situated, called “The Lazy Trout” this is approximately 600yds from the Tea Rooms. The Coach is able to park near the Roaches Tea Rooms and with no parking charges.

The Driver is also afforded Food & Beverage whilst there.

For the C walkers Coffee and Scones etc will be available,the scones were particularly tasty.

For our walk we head away around the Lake in a clockwise direction through Meadows filled with Wild Flowers [Bring your “I Spy “ books ] also various types of butterflies were seen.

Views of the surrounding area were particularly good and for walking excellent conditions and the highest point we reached was about 300ft.

The walk is approximately 5 1/2 miles but with all the stops and the “leisurely walk” it makes up for any more mileage we may have been able to do. At the end of the walk

For anyone who is a “Bird Watcher” there is a Hide to visit if you wish.

I have asked the Manager of the Cafe to open at 09.45 for us, which they have kindly agreed, as we are likely to arrive around 09.30.

Should anyone wish to visit the Pub [and as it is a little way from the Roaches Centre] the Bus on leaving the Centre could at a predetermined time collect those folk,

The Visitor Centre

The Reservoir

Terry in a meadow

Tittesworth Reservoir.